Postie: Leave me to grieve

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol ... rieve.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A GRIEVING postie last night told of his shock after bosses phoned him up two days after his wife's funeral to ask when he'd be returning to work.

Steven Campbell, 39, was left shattered when his beloved Kathleen died suddenly in bed of a massive stroke.

The distraught widower — who has been left to bring up their six-year-old son — laid her to rest on August 17.

But then on August 19, as he tried to come to terms with his sorrow, he got the "disrespectful" call from the Royal Mail.

Steven, of Galashiels, Selkirkshire, said: "I am disgusted that an employer can treat anyone like this just two days after laying their wife to rest. It is very cold-hearted.

"I lost my wife, my friend, my soulmate and the mother of my son."

Steven said a Royal Mail manager was "unsympathetic" to him when he phoned.

He said: "His first question was 'Are you coming back or are you going on annual leave?'

"I told him I had been signed off for stress-related bereavement and he said 'So you are going off on the sick, then?'

"His whole tone was totally unsympathetic. I was made to feel as though I was skiving and coming up with excuses."

Steven says he was then asked to attend a meeting with management on August 26 to explain why he was off sick.

But he said: "How could I go if I was sick? I am going to fight them all the way on this."

Nurse Kathleen died aged 48 on August 8.

Last night Royal Mail said they were unable to comment.

But an insider said: "The staff are quite taken aback by claims they've been insensitive.

"Steven has gone through a very bad time. They just want him to get in contact so that they can offer support. There is bereavement counselling available to all Royal Mail staff."

[demon]

thats what there like they dont care but thoughts with the postie me

[blackadder]

sorry about your loss. his manager is a grade 1 twat. he should be named and shamed for being a jobsworth

[hans solo]

im quite sure posties know whats happened at his office and treating the clown in manner deserving. much sympathy to postie could take months to get over now.no sympathy for rm and union should be right on top of this b&h to unbelievable proportions

[stokes11eg]

Once again, this company leave me speechless-------name and shame!

[NWpostie]

I have met such bosses in my time, worms they are..

[fishtank]

It's very hard to get your head around the decision making process behind this course of action without coming to the conclusion that the manager is utterly devoid of any moral compass,compassion or integrity.
For an "insider" to spout such drivel as "They just want him to get in contact so that they can offer support" simply shows that it isn't an isolated case of management failure...it's institutionalised.

[blue1873]

It's very hard to get your head around the decision making process behind this course of action without coming to the conclusion that the manager is utterly devoid of any moral compass,compassion or integrity.
For an "insider" to spout such drivel as "They just want him to get in contact so that they can offer support" simply shows that it isn't an isolated case of management failure...it's institutionalised.

Disgraceful but so so typical. there's a lot of these fecker's need to be institutionalised......heartless morons !!

[edwardo]

my thoughts to the postie and his 6 year old son , but do you expect anything else from the lowest form of life on this planet ,ps was that mr or mrs insider no name again typical

[eccy92]

Same thing happened to me two days after my mum passed away manager on the phone at 6 oclock in the morning telling me how much time off I was entitled to ,went in part of the week so I could have the day off after the funeral he then moaned because I never touched the households no compassion at all still stressed out over it after 15 months

[brothermagrew]

It's very hard to get your head around the decision making process behind this course of action without coming to the conclusion that the manager is utterly devoid of any moral compass,compassion or integrity.
For an "insider" to spout such drivel as "They just want him to get in contact so that they can offer support" simply shows that it isn't an isolated case of management failure...it's institutionalised.

Well said brother Fish

[protect us]

TOTAL DISGRACE - thoughts are with postie , how very very sad and a tragic loss at a young age - theres no way this should have been allowed to happen , this is another example of how the firm has changed and now very ruthless with no thoughts for the staff that DO all the HARD and PHYSICAL work that brings in the loot for the business - not everyone can be a postie in all weathers or stick the job out very long so you would think they would respect and look after us a bit more ? to be fair i can remember a lad who lost his mum through cancer and the dom at time said take as long as you need but this was the older days and it seems now sadly those types of thoughtfulness are rapidly fading and therefore so are the attitudes of people

[RobertT]

I was under the impression that we are allowed a week off when a close family member passes away?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I was under the impression that we are allowed a week off when a close family member passes away?

That's correct regarding Special Leave. However I believe that the posts by members, and the comments attributed to Steven Campbell tend not to be commenting on the application of the rules, but on the insensitive, shocking and down right appalling approach to, and handling, of a delicate situation. Its the typical hob nail approach to everything that upsets most people both inside and outside Royal Mail, just ask customers trying to make a complaint.

[steven100]

Clearly another manager that can't manage and shouldn't be in charge of people. No people skills what so ever.
Royal Mail management to a tee. Although their are some good managers in rm. Maybe 5%.